1 I said, “I will watch my ways so I may not sin with my tongue. I will keep my mouth shut as if it were tied with ropes, while the sinful are near me.”

I said, “I will guard my ways That I may not sin with my tongue; I will guard my mouth as with a muzzle While the wicked are in my presence.”

2 I stayed quiet, not even saying anything good. And my sorrow grew worse.

I was mute and silent, I refrained even from good, And my sorrow grew worse.

3 M y heart was hot within me. As I thought about things, the fire burned. Then I spoke with my tongue,

My heart was hot within me, While I was musing the fire burned; Then I spoke with my tongue:

4 “ O Lord, let me know my end and how many days I have to live. Let me know that I do not have long to stay here.

“ Lord, make me to know my end And what is the extent of my days; Let me know how transient I am.

5 Y ou have made each of my days as long as a hand is wide. My whole life is nothing in Your eyes. Every man at his best is only a breath.

“Behold, You have made my days as handbreadths, And my lifetime as nothing in Your sight; Surely every man at his best is a mere breath. Selah.

6 E very man walks here and there like a shadow. He makes a noise about nothing. He stores up riches, not knowing who will gather them.

“Surely every man walks about as a phantom; Surely they make an uproar for nothing; He amasses riches and does not know who will gather them.

7 A nd now, Lord, what do I wait for? My hope is in You.

“And now, Lord, for what do I wait? My hope is in You.

8 S ave me from all my sins. Do not let me be put to shame by the foolish.

“ Deliver me from all my transgressions; Make me not the reproach of the foolish.

9 I cannot speak. I do not open my mouth because it is You Who has done it.

“I have become mute, I do not open my mouth, Because it is You who have done it.

10 D o not punish me any more. I am growing weak by the beatings of Your hand.

“ Remove Your plague from me; Because of the opposition of Your hand I am perishing.

11 W ith sharp words You punish a man for sin. You destroy like a moth what is of worth to him. For sure, every man is only a breath.

“With reproofs You chasten a man for iniquity; You consume as a moth what is precious to him; Surely every man is a mere breath. Selah.

12 O Lord, hear my prayer, and listen to my cry. Do not be quiet when You see my tears. For I am a stranger with You, a visitor like all my fathers.

“ Hear my prayer, O Lord, and give ear to my cry; Do not be silent at my tears; For I am a stranger with You, A sojourner like all my fathers.

13 L ook away from me, so I may have joy again before I go and am no more.”

“ Turn Your gaze away from me, that I may smile again Before I depart and am no more.”